Eighteen-year-old Mingus Union High School graduate Hunter Zwart has made the best of his summer free time the last few weeks, playing in a few of the most prestigious baseball tournaments a player could ever be a part of.

Born in Cottonwood and a product of the Verde Valley Little League, Zwart had one heck of a senior season for the Marauders, hitting .467 with a teamleading nine home runs and 41 RBIs while recording 11 doubles and three triples along the way.

In 40⅔ innings pitched, Zwart was 5-1 while boasting a 2.58 ERA, allowing only 32 hits and striking out 38 batters.

Those numbers on the baseball diamond earned Zwart a first team All-Region selection and he was unanimously voted MVP.

“I was actually surprised when they said I was MVP. There were a few guys from Sinagua that I thought were going to win it,” Zwart said.

A three-year varsity letter- winner, Zwart was selected to play in the 4A-II North-South All-Star game on June 5 which his team won, 18-9.

An avid moviegoer, hunter and outdoorsman, Zwart finds time in between playing baseball for various teams to hang out with his friends, something he loves to do.

Help Hunter

Hunter Zwart was selected to play for a USA Select team that is traveling to Australia in December this year. To help Zwart get to Australia, contact Allan Zwart at 821-3888.

Coming this weekend, Zwart is scheduled to travel to Oklahoma to play in the Heartland Classic with the Arizona All-Stars.

He currently plays in a Connie Mack Baseball League and in two weeks, Zwart is scheduled to travel to Georgia to play in the World Wood Bat Tournament.

Of course when December rolls around, the biggest baseball tournament of Zwart’s life will come about, as he was chosen to play for a USA Select team in the Goodwill Games in Australia.

In the meantime, Zwart is planning to go to Arizona Western College in the fall where he will patrol center field for the Matadors come springtime.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in all the tournaments coming up. Things have been great and I love baseball. It’s something I want to do and will hopefully get to do for a long time,” Zwart said.